Aurora man gets 7 years in North Aurora fatal crash

NORTH AURORA – An Aurora man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for killing a woman and then fleeing the scene while he was driving drunk.

Lee R. Patterson III, 33, of Aurora, was sentenced Wednesday by Circuit Judge James Hallock. In February, Patterson pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death and one count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, both felonies.

At about 2 a.m. Oct. 25, 2010, Patterson was driving a 2004 Dodge Sprinter van when he struck the two victims in the 0-100 block of Grant Street in North Aurora. He then fled the scene, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

Doreen Cardenas, 22, of Cicero, was killed in the crash and the other victim suffered serious injuries including a concussion, a fractured shoulder and injuries to his left knee that required reconstructive surgery and will require knee replacement surgery in the near future.

Sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Oct. 25, Patterson surrended to the Aurora Police Department and was taken to the North Aurora Police Department. An analysis of a blood draw taken at 9 a.m. indicated that Patterson’s blood-alcohol concentration at the time he struck the two victims was between .109 and .182.

Patterson was sentenced to four years in prison for the leaving the scene of an accident involving death and three years in prison for aggravated DUI. The terms are to be served consecutively.

According to state law, Patterson is eligible for day-for-day credit for the leaving the scene conviction, and he must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence for the aggravated DUI charge.

Patterson was given credit for two days served in the Kane County jail. He had been free on $5,000 bond.

“We hope that everyone will see the devastating results from this case and understand why they should choose not to drive a car after they’ve been drinking alcohol," Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in the release. "As this case has so sadly and emotionally demonstrated, it’s just not worth the risk.”